After building a tiny house (10x16), and going from having my life split between two states and two countries, I really needed a structured process foAfter building a tiny house (10x16), and going from having my life split between two states and two countries, I really needed a structured process for pairing things down. This was a quick and easy read (3 days max), and it was actually quite surprising... not your typical "how-to" book.

Being in the tiny house community, there are a lot of people who talk about the Konmari method of tidying and decluttering, but a lot of people seem to struggle with it. I never really understood why until I read the whole book I realized that a lot of people don't really follow through with each step... or they're not completely honest with themselves. I think that's the reason why her method works so well when she does one-on-one sessions, because she's there to keep people honest.

The biggest take home I got was that it's not about decluttering your life, or becoming a minimalist and getting rid of everything you don't absolutely love and need. It's about learning to make decisions, and learning to decide what is healthiest for the person you are now and the person you want to be, not the person you once were. We can hold onto any number of things from our life that bring us joy because of the memories they invoke, but sometimes it's worth acknowledging that those memories may keep us from becoming our true present self.

Half way through this book I learned about the controversy surrounding the semi-truth of some of the stories depicted in what was supposed to be a comHalf way through this book I learned about the controversy surrounding the semi-truth of some of the stories depicted in what was supposed to be a completely truthful autobiography. For the record, I would like to say that the controversy makes absolutely no difference to the way I feel about this book.

I am surprised, stunned, left in awe. I have never read anything like this. What this book did was give me a glimpse into a mind that I don't have, and it allowed me to experience emotions I do not have. It may have even brought me a step closer to empathy, but that's not really for me to say.

The style of writing was incredible in its novelty! The only thing that I could even come close to comparing it to would be the Epic of Gilgamesh... modeled after an age when stories were shared orally. Thoughts, and emotion are laid beautifully bare. There is little punctuation, and it only takes a few pages to get used to it. It's messy and real like thoughts are, raw, nothing held back. Some of what was said was hard to take, sickening even... but flawless. I guess that's the only warning I'd give this book.... be prepared to be sickened, and heart warmed, and to cry. The whole book could be fiction for all I care, like I said, it wouldn't change the impact. ...more

From page one this book drew me. Mortenson's ability to put you into the most beautiful and magical landscapes is one of the reasons that I'm drawn toFrom page one this book drew me. Mortenson's ability to put you into the most beautiful and magical landscapes is one of the reasons that I'm drawn to books like this. If I can't travel there myself, I want to FEEL like I'm there anyways. Besides that, the topic of the book was incredible, eye-opening, saddening, and hope generating all at once.

It's people like Mortenson that I want the rest of the world to associate with America, he's doing it right, and it's stories like his that I want American's to associate with places in the world that they may fear and misunderstand. ...more

I'm not too much a fan of Raffan's writing style, but that didn't stop me from finishing this book, because I couldn't wait to meet the next culture aI'm not too much a fan of Raffan's writing style, but that didn't stop me from finishing this book, because I couldn't wait to meet the next culture along the way. The book didn't really become too engaging until about half way through, where I feel like Raffan really started to engage with the local people on THEIR turf. So much of the first half of the book just felt like stories of Raffan traveling, and talking about the book he was writing (the one in my hands), and not really getting into the content of the book with the people he was meeting. He seemed to not ask a lot of questions, and more often than not a lot of the book took place at conferences and meetings than actually out on the land (until that half way mark).

Long story short, I'm glad I read it, but it wasn't the sort of book I would really recommend to other people. ...more

Interesting premiss. I would have liked for a sequel though! I feel like the book didn't really get interesting until the last quarter of it, when youInteresting premiss. I would have liked for a sequel though! I feel like the book didn't really get interesting until the last quarter of it, when you really started questioning everything. ...more

Not really the best written travel log by any means. However, the story itself is fascinating! I think it would be much better portrayed as a movie, aNot really the best written travel log by any means. However, the story itself is fascinating! I think it would be much better portrayed as a movie, and frankly, I'm shocked that it's not one! ...more

This was a delightful surprise. This book was in the Karma corner at my school (a corner of free goodies left there for the taking by other students),This was a delightful surprise. This book was in the Karma corner at my school (a corner of free goodies left there for the taking by other students), and any time I come across a free book, I usually open to the middle of it, read a few paragraphs to see if I like the style of writing, and then I take it home to experience the book with no idea whatsoever what it's going to be about.

This was the perfect book to do that with. There was magic, heart ache, empathy, and a very real perspective of someone who sees and experiences the world in a very different way.

As a birthday treat I went down to the local bookstore and decided to buy my first new book in years (I usually keep myself away form buying new onesAs a birthday treat I went down to the local bookstore and decided to buy my first new book in years (I usually keep myself away form buying new ones because old ones fall into my hands more often than not and my bookshelf is full of half finished books)

Nothing was really appealing to me, until I asked if there was anything by Sarah Addison Allen, because that was the mood I was in. I decided that I would buy whatever they had of hers that I hadn't already read, and I wouldn't even read the summary to figure out what it was about.

To my complete and gleeful surprise I dove into this book and found it to be the sequel to one of my all time favorite Allen's!!! It brought so much to go back into the Waverley world, and fall back in love with these characters and Allen's writing. I sent the book to my grandmother for the new year because we had shared Garden Spells when it first came out. ...more

So, someone gave me this book and I knew nothing about it. I have a personal ritual of never actually reading the back cover (synopses) of a fiction bSo, someone gave me this book and I knew nothing about it. I have a personal ritual of never actually reading the back cover (synopses) of a fiction book until after I've read the book. I judge a book by its cover, then its name, and then the writing style from a few pages in the middle which I will likely forget.

SPOILER ALERT!

Because of this, I actually wasn't sure if this was going to be a fantasy novel, or just a really bizarre fiction. I was actually surprised at my disappointment in discovering that yes, in fact, the boarding house his grandfather went to actually existed, and it was as fantastical as he said! I guess I was looking forward to something along the lines of Big Fish, where it was fantasy that was used to describe actual reality, but that didn't steal from the magic. However, I got over my disappointment because Riggs writing is incredible! The language and dynamics are up-to-date, and appreciated the relationship that the main character had with his dad, because it was so real (at least from my experiences in life), and how the interplay between the characters unfolded was also quite real, despite the fantastical situations. ...more

This is now one of my 3 top favorite books. It's the first book I have read cover to cover in a long time, and really wish it just kept going and goinThis is now one of my 3 top favorite books. It's the first book I have read cover to cover in a long time, and really wish it just kept going and going.

It's a book that will help to teach you how to become more truly human... not human as we've come to know ourselves, but humans as we were intended to be. ...more

This is a truly life changing book. It's a book about gardening, but more than that it's a book about how to be Human, human not as we've come to knowThis is a truly life changing book. It's a book about gardening, but more than that it's a book about how to be Human, human not as we've come to know ourselves, but as we were intended to be.

This book, the Tracker, and Mutant Message from Down Under, are all in the category of books that will help you to become more truly human. ...more

I think this book was a bit more Baxter than Pratchett, but you could definitely see his influence throughout the book.

The concept was fascinating, aI think this book was a bit more Baxter than Pratchett, but you could definitely see his influence throughout the book.

The concept was fascinating, and unique, and kept me reading. The only reason this book is less than 4 stars is because I felt there were stories, areas, and directions that the book could have gone in that would have been better, but I felt like every time the book came across an opportunity to explore a really engaging storyline, it decided to blaze forward in it's very determined direction, leaving behind some more interesting plot points. Perhaps the following books will engage more in these areas! ...more

I came across this short Ballad, and it took me looking it up to find out who wrote it, because the version I found is titled "The Ballad of Reading GI came across this short Ballad, and it took me looking it up to find out who wrote it, because the version I found is titled "The Ballad of Reading Gaol, by C. 3. 3. Which I think may be a prisoner number.

Either way, I picked it up, started reading, and finished the whole thing in one setting. I was entranced by it. Especially with the recent state of news and how many men are avoiding what should be harsh imprisonment/death.

The ballad spoke of something true that every horrible and unforgivable deed should be met with what it deserves. There is no room for pity or mercy... it is not a murderer being punished by people bringing themselves down to the murder's level, it is a murder being told "You have failed at being a human being, the punishment is exile from the living, better luck next time. You now have one month to wallow and pray for your soul"

Granted, there are times in a human's life when certain acts are acceptable as self defense or in the defense of the defenseless... but for people like Ariel Castro, not a second thought should be given. ...more

This was one of those books that you happen to stumble upon in a little cafe' and it turns out to be just what you needed.

I read this book just beforThis was one of those books that you happen to stumble upon in a little cafe' and it turns out to be just what you needed.

I read this book just before traveling to Ireland and Scotland, and though I have always felt very connected with the spirit of those places, this book had so many wonderful tools to draw me even deeper into the mist.

At once poetic and instructive, this book can draw you into a simply magical world. Stress on the word 'Simply' here... because never before has this culture seemed so beautiful simple and clear.

I enjoyed the personal projects and meditations most of all, and now find myself filling the three cauldrons of my being on a regular basis.

If you like the Celtic culture, then this book is for you. Though it doesn't go very deeply into the history, which I would have liked more of. It's certainly more of a personal journey that the author shares with you. There is something eerily familiar to me about much of what he says... ...more

This book starts out fantastically (mainly because I'm a fan of whimsey) and reminded me a little of Mark Twain's "The Bible According to Mark Twain"This book starts out fantastically (mainly because I'm a fan of whimsey) and reminded me a little of Mark Twain's "The Bible According to Mark Twain"

A few more chapters in and it revealed itself to be a little darker than I expected, but still hypnotizing, in the sense that I couldn't stop reading it. Further through and it was beginning to remind me of Ray Bradbury's "The Illustrated Man".

Overall... a fascinating read. At once whimsical, sobering, and full of interesting fact and fiction. ...more

Okay, so 2 stars might be a little harsh, but it's really just based on my deep dislike of Gilgamesh in general. From what I gathered from the book heOkay, so 2 stars might be a little harsh, but it's really just based on my deep dislike of Gilgamesh in general. From what I gathered from the book he was a horrible man, and not too good of a king either. I mean really, did he have to have EVERY woman in the kingdom? I did love the references to dreams and the importance they played in the story, as well as the strong metaphors that were dreamlike throughout the book.

Besides that, on a truly format based level, I enjoyed reading the story. As I read every passage I imagined it being written in pictograph form (even though this was not the form it was written in) because it seemed like such a visual story. Especially the pages where it repeated itself over and over again like a mantra... the repetition was almost the writers way of telling time... the more something was repeated, the more time had passed, and the more effort was expended. Looking at it historically it must have been incredibly entertaining.

Looking at the book in a modern perspective it was incredibly childish and seems more like an entry into a dream journal than anything. ...more

There are many books that will go on talking about thinking and psychology until you feel like banging your head against a wThis was such a fun book.

There are many books that will go on talking about thinking and psychology until you feel like banging your head against a wall, but this one brings the problems into the physical world.

I'd wake up in the morning, and over a cup of tea I'd sit playing with glasses and butter-knives (Much as I would in a restaurant) and cackle gleefully when I got things right. And then when someone comes up and asks what you're doing, you don't reply "Playing with knives" you can say "studying my thought process and problem solving abilities... why? Did you think I was just messing around?"

I'd really love a series of books to come out with similar problems. I think they would be great fun for children, and they're certainly more entertaining then Suduko ...more

I really love this collection! My favorite being Eric, but the story about the big ball of poetry is a close second. Once again, Shaun Tan's creativitI really love this collection! My favorite being Eric, but the story about the big ball of poetry is a close second. Once again, Shaun Tan's creativity and art have not failed to amaze. I have to say that I don't mind his writing either >.<...more

What can I say about Shaun Tan's writing and art? It's almost indescribable...

It's like opening a book for the first time when you're a little kid anWhat can I say about Shaun Tan's writing and art? It's almost indescribable...

It's like opening a book for the first time when you're a little kid and getting so carried away by the drawings that you don't even care what the story is about. I think that might be it, the most appealing thing about Shaun Tan's books and writings... they make me feel like a little kid again.

Besides that, they open you're mind to new possibilities, and they show you worlds you may have dreamt about. Either way, you can leaf through the pages a hundred times and you're always going to find something new!...more

Man do I love this book! I'd never actually read it before (And never realized how true to the story Disney's version was) But to read it is a singulaMan do I love this book! I'd never actually read it before (And never realized how true to the story Disney's version was) But to read it is a singular pleasure that no movie could hope to relate. The whole book is like a whimsical poem dream. You can get lost in a sentence for a quite a while if you let yourself doddle. It makes me realize that you don't have to make sense to write a good story... I'm endlessly trying to describe myself until I start reaching into the world of Science Fiction, when I really just want to write fantasy.

Good old fantasy has no rules, no reason (though sometimes rhyme) and it frees your mind to imagine at least 10 impossible things before breakfast >.<...more

I liked it because it was a completely unique view on the future. He truly took you to another world all together! There's so many writers who write aI liked it because it was a completely unique view on the future. He truly took you to another world all together! There's so many writers who write about the future only a short while ahead. I'll find myself reading a book written in the 1950's, talking about the colonies on Mars we started in 2004, it's so amusing it takes away from what the writer is trying to tell you.

But this! This was set in a time when you know people aren't going to be looking back and saying "What an idiot, it's nothing like that"

The feelings he portrayed felt very real, and his descriptions were beautifully imaginative. I would have liked for there to be more stories though, each book taking place in a different time and so forth. I would have liked for there to be an epilogue, giving you a little hint as to where the Time Traveler ended up.

I picked this up in a book swap in Belfast. It's full of some of the most hypnotically depressing stories you'll ever read. The writing is beautiful aI picked this up in a book swap in Belfast. It's full of some of the most hypnotically depressing stories you'll ever read. The writing is beautiful and poetic, and it was enough to make me overlook his absolutely dismal outlook on human nature. They were all stories of warning of course, but not even I can say we're going to get THAT bad... are we?

I really wish this had been a novel about the Illustrated man... instead of short stories. Don't get me wrong, the short stories were interesting, I only wish they were a small part of the whole. The man himself, now THERE'S where the story is.

Overall, I was happy to be done with it and leave it in a hostel in Scotland. It's nice to read apocalyptic books every now and then, but you certainly have to smooth it over with something with a little more light. ...more